Need to Go

"Thank you for giving this to us, this moment, Arik," I whispered as I gently caressed his face.

I couldn't help but remember the illness he carried, but I quickly pushed it aside.

Arik's expression softened even more. His jaw clenched briefly as his gaze drifted to my lips and then returned to my eyes.

"No, I should thank you, Celeste. Thank you for giving me this chance to be with you again, and I'm sorry for everything. Forgive me," he said in a hoarse voice and hugged me.

"I will ask for your forgiveness for the rest of my life, my love. Even if my memory fades away... again."

The small smile on my lips vanished, replaced by fear and sadness. I held him tightly and quietly wiped away my tears.

God, please, don't do this to us. I can't bear it. Every labored breath he took felt like a painful reminder of the life we were slowly losing.